Unwed Sailor ~ The Faithful Anchor
(Lovesick Records)

Opening with a reasonably uplifting piece called "Last Goodbyes", the debut album from this band of Chicago-based instrumentalists follows through with seven post-rock meanderweavings before reaching its finale, "The Quiet Hour" – which contains vocals. Tellingly, the only ships mentioned in the lyrics are "splintering," and the song's protagonist hangs "by rope above the sea" rather than actually plunging in. The album's firm attachment to dry and earthy guitar-bass-drums means that it has more in common with land-mammals like Tortoise and valley-dwellers like Low than it has with truly nautical works such as The Dirty Three's Ocean Songs and Daniel Figgis' Skipper, two albums that Unwed Sailor would do well to immerse themselves in if they want to raise their anchor and really set sail. –Barry Kavanagh

 

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